Lovington, NM planting zone & frost dates

Lovington is in USDA hardiness zone 7b. The last spring frost usually comes around March 28 and the first fall frost around November 13, for a growing season of about 230 days.

USDA hardiness zone7bavg. extreme winter low 5°F to 10°F

Average last spring frostMarch 2890% chance of no frost after April 15

Average first fall frostNovember 1310% chance of frost by October 30

Growing season230 daysfrost-free days in an average year

Planting calendar for Lovington

Dates are counted from the average last spring frost (March 28) using the typical timing recommended by U.S. extension services. Warm-season crops go out only after the danger of frost has passed and the soil has warmed.

Crop	When
Tomatoes	Start seeds indoors: Jan 31 – Feb 14 Transplant outdoors: Apr 4 – Apr 11
Peppers	Start seeds indoors: Jan 17 – Jan 31 Transplant outdoors: Apr 11 – Apr 18
Eggplant	Start seeds indoors: Jan 17 – Jan 31 Transplant outdoors: Apr 11 – Apr 18
Broccoli	Start seeds indoors: Jan 17 – Jan 31 Transplant outdoors: Feb 28 – Mar 14
Cabbage	Start seeds indoors: Jan 17 – Jan 31 Transplant outdoors: Feb 28 – Mar 14
Onions (sets)	Plant outdoors: Feb 28 – Mar 14
Peas	Sow outdoors: Feb 14 – Feb 28
Spinach	Sow outdoors: Feb 14 – Feb 28
Lettuce	Sow outdoors: Feb 28 – Mar 14
Carrots	Sow outdoors: Feb 28 – Mar 14
Potatoes	Plant outdoors: Feb 28 – Mar 14
Beans	Sow outdoors: Apr 4 – Apr 11
Sweet corn	Sow outdoors: Apr 4 – Apr 11
Cucumbers	Sow outdoors: Apr 4 – Apr 11
Squash & zucchini	Sow outdoors: Apr 4 – Apr 11
Basil	Start seeds indoors: Feb 14 – Feb 28 Transplant outdoors: Apr 4 – Apr 11

Fall garden: cool-season crops like lettuce, spinach and kale can be sown again around Sep 18 (8 weeks before the average first fall frost on Nov 13).

Useful for zone 7b gardens

Seed starting kit with dome — to start seeds indoors before the last frost
LED grow light for seedlings — stops leggy seedlings
Frost cloth / plant covers — for late spring and early fall frosts
Soil thermometer — warm-season crops need soil above 60°F

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Frost risk in detail

	90% chance	50% chance	10% chance
Last 32°F frost in spring is after	Mar 5	Mar 28	Apr 15
First 32°F frost in fall is before	Nov 28	Nov 13	Oct 30

How to read it: in spring there is a 10% chance of a frost after April 15, so that is a safe date for tender plants. In fall there is a 10% chance of frost before October 30. A hard freeze (28°F) usually ends around March 10.

Hardiness zone by ZIP code in Lovington

88260 zone 7b

Nearby cities

Hobbs zone 8a, last frost Mar 28
Carlsbad zone 8a, last frost Mar 17
Artesia zone 7b, last frost Apr 11
Portales zone 7a, last frost Apr 15
Roswell zone 7b, last frost Apr 13
Clovis zone 7a, last frost Apr 14
Alamogordo zone 8a, last frost Mar 9
Chaparral zone 8b, last frost Feb 28

All cities in New Mexico → · Other zone 7b cities →

Questions

What growing zone is Lovington, NM?

Lovington is in USDA Plant Hardiness Zone 7b (average extreme winter low 5°F to 10°F), according to the USDA 2023 map.

When is the last frost in Lovington?

The average last spring frost (32°F) in Lovington is March 28. There is still a 10% chance of frost until April 15.

When can I plant tomatoes in Lovington?

Transplant tomatoes outdoors 1–2 weeks after the average last frost: around Apr 4 – Apr 11. Start seeds indoors 6–8 weeks before the last frost.

Frost dates: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, station Hobbs 13W, NM (USC00294030), 25.7 km (16.0 mi) from the city center, elevation 1169 m, based on 17 years of records. Hardiness zone: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map 2023 for the ZIP code nearest to the city center. Microclimates (valleys, hills, cities, coasts) can be warmer or colder: check the local forecast before planting. How we calculate the data.